The collection develops in great detail how difficult the process after the sinking was. They candidly show the immense stress everyone involved was under.
When the telegrams were sent I imagine it was with every expectation that they would remain private.

Sent between Captain Frederick Larnder of the Mackay-Bennett and the White Star Line, which operated the Titanic, the telegrams show the struggle faced by both sides.

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One sent to the rescue ship reads,

Absolutely essential you should bring to port all bodies you can possibly accommodate.

But the Mackay-Bennett responded,

A careful record has been made of all papers moneys and valuables found on bodies.
Would it not be better to bury all bodies at sea unless specially requested by relatives to preserve them?

Charles A. Haas/John P. Eaton/BNPS

They eventually settled on the grisly tactic of disposing of the lower class victims, while those who were salvaged were returned to their loved ones.

The telegrams were kept by a former worker for the Cunard Line, which merged with the White Star Line in 1934, before making their way to Haas.